The number and the yield of fruits from two hybrid of muskmelon, submitted to different saline levels of irrigation water and soil covering was evaluated. A factorial outline was used 3 x 2 x 2 in a complete randomized blocks design with four replications. The factors were three levels of salinity of irrigation water, with electric conductivity of 1.2 dSm-1; 2.5 dSm-1 and 4.4 dSm-1 respectively, two hybrids, Gold Mine and Trusty, with and without soil covering using black-silvery double face polyethylene film. The hybrids reacted in different ways to the salinity of irrigation water. Reduction on the total number of fruits was observed only in the hybrid Trusty. The marketable yield of fruits was similar in both hybrids, being reduced with the increase of the electric conductivity. For the usage of soil covering the hybrids also reacted in a different way. The hybrid Trusty produced greater number of fruits and higher yield in treatments using soil covering.
Cucumis melo L.; plasticulture; salinity
